NBC today threatened to pull its channels from YouTube TV next week if a new contract is not signed. Google this evening issued its response, and said YouTube TV will see a $10 price drop if the NBCU channels disappear.
Our ask is that NBCU treats YouTube TV like any other TV provider.
The YouTube-branded cord-cutting offering is seeking the “same rates that services of a similar size get from NBCU.” From the statement, it appears that the broadcaster wants to charge YouTube TV more for access compared to the previous contract, which expires this coming Thursday.
Google implies that the price increase would hamper its ability to offer YouTube TV at a “competitive and fair price.” Back in August, YouTube said YouTube TV would not get a price hike in the “near term.”
If “equitable terms” are offered, the contract will be renewed and nothing changes for end users. However, if the 14 NBCUniversal channels leave, YouTube TV’s monthly subscription will decrease from $64.99 per month to $54.99 for the duration of this contract dispute.
In this evening’s statement, Google notably directed customers to:
“…sign up for NBC’s own direct-to-consumer streaming service, Peacock, which they offer for $4.99/month to continue watching NBCU content, such as Sunday Night Football.”
While this dispute went public, Google says it’s “still in active conversations with NBCU and are hopeful we can get past this impasse to keep their content available on YouTube TV.”
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